T4 - 6.3B: Kerri Maselli, Brooke McVay, Lexi Vidmar (Valley Forge)


In the year 1777-1778, George Washingtons army suffered greatly. 12,000 members suffer of his army were living in Valley Forge. They were freezing without clothes, food, and little shelter. However, Baron Von Steuben came to the rescue. Even though Valley FOrge was rough, it was a success in the end.

General George Washington and his continental army are suffering big time at Valley Forge. The army consists of about 12,000 men. The conditons at Valley Forge were so bad that Washington thought about leaving his army. Gearge Washington once said"... You might have tracked the army from White Marsh to Valley Forge by the blood of their feet." Then Baron Von Steuben met Benjamin Franklin in Paris and learned about Valley Forge. Baron Von Steuben then went to Valley Forge and drilled the soldiers regularly and improved their discipline. Baron Von Steuben is said to be the Valley Forge Hero.

The army suffered two decisive defeats by the redcoats at Brandywine and at Germantown, so they marched their way to Valley Forge. It is winter of 1777 and Washington and his army are camping at Valley Forge, Pennsylania. It is a few miles away where they are going to camp for the winter and prepare for battle with the return of warm weather. The troops arrived just in time for Christmas, but there was no holiday feast. They just had flour and water. George Washington once stated "...Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence," while at Valley Forge.

At Valley Forge, the conditions are horrendous. It is winter and most of the men didn't have clothes or shoes, so they were starting to get frostbite and die from diseases. At Valley Forge a disease sperad through the camp, so they put the sick people together and the healthy people together. We needed to stop the spreading of disease so we cut their arm open and put the affected persons blood and disease in the healthy persons arm so their antibodies would fight the disease. that wouyld cause them to not get sick and die. At Valley Forge, we trained for combat and prepared for war. Towards the end of camp, we ran out of food, so we had to eat water and flour, but it kept us strong.

All in all, Valley Forge improved the army. They suffered a great deal, but learned a lesson. they were out of shape and Baron Von Steuben came to the rescue. he trained the men and helped turn them into what they are today. Hopefully, they've been through the worst.